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Thousands Flock To Melbourne Cup Carnival Parade

Melbourne’s city centre came to a standstill today as thousands of racegoers flocked to see the Melbourne Cup Parade travel down Swanston Street to Federation Square.

Minister for Racing Martin Pakula attended the parade to officially welcome interstate and international visitors to the 2017 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The parade featured five former Melbourne Cup winners, including Prince of Penzance who famously carried Michelle Payne to victory in 2015. Other former champions included Might and Power (1997), Rogan Josh (1999), Brew (2000), and Efficient (2007).

The 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup was also on show at Federation Square.

Last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival – including Derby Day, Cup Day, Stakes Day and Oaks Day – attracted more than 330,000 racegoers to Flemington and created almost 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The 2016 Carnival generated a record $427.1 million in economic activity which was an increase of 10 per cent compared to 2015.

During the four day carnival $38.3 million was spent on accommodation, $44.3 million was spent on fashion and retail, and $23.6 million was spent on food and drink.

The Melbourne Cup was broadcast to 163 locations across the globe and had an estimated national and international television audience of 750 million.

The racing industry in metropolitan Melbourne generates more than $1.5 billion for the Victorian economy annually and helps sustain more than 13,590 full-time equivalent jobs locally.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula

“The annual Melbourne Cup Parade is a great curtain-raiser for the race that stops a nation, which will run for the 157th time tomorrow.”

“We’re proud to support the Melbourne Cup Carnival because it injects hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy and brings tens of thousands of visitors to Victoria each year.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll

“The Melbourne Cup Carnival provides a huge economic boost for Victoria, creating almost 20,000 jobs in the lead up to and during the carnival.”